Proving Grounds: Imports, sport compacts this weekend

June 13, 2016

All four corners of Brainerd International Raceway will be busy this weekend as hundreds of imports and sport compact cars are expected to take part in the first of two Modern Automotive Performance (MAP) Proving Grounds.

Fans will be treated to seven events this weekend: drifting, autocross, drag racing, Time Attack (open lapping), burn-out contests, a car show and grudge-style roll racing. If you like the scream of imports and the smell of burnt rubber, than this event is for you. It’s for novice drivers, expert drives and everything in between.

The MAP Proving Grounds is growing in popularity at BIR, mostly because of the unique mix of motorsports, including the crowd favorite: drifting. In this judged competition, drivers use controlled skids to maneuver their cars through a course that’s lined with cones. It’s a fun one for fans to watch. There’s even a Tandem Drift Competition for advanced drivers Saturday afternoon, where multiple cars fly through the course together. Drifting is Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

On the drag strip, cars will be competing in seven different classes, all of which feature heads-up racing, meaning both cars start at the same time and the fastest one to the finish line wins. There’s a special class for bikes and snowmobiles as well. Friday is for testing, time trials and qualifying. Saturday features time trials and qualifying, followed by elimination rounds on Sunday.

Autocross is also on the schedule. Similar to drifting, autocross is a timed event that features cars maneuvering their way through a cone-lined course in a more controlled fashion. The emphasis is on driving skills rather than horsepower and speed. Autocross is Friday and Saturday.

On BIR’s 2.5-mile Competition Road Course, drivers will test themselves against the clock in the Time Attack event. Beginning at a standstill on the starting line, drivers complete the 2.5 miles in the fastest time possible. Time Attack is Saturday and Sunday.

Drivers who really want to test themselves can compete in the Triple Track Showdown, which is a combined event that includes drag racing, autocross and Time Attack.

“The Proving Grounds just keeps growing because it’s such a fun and unique event,” BIR Owner Jed Copham said. “It allows drivers a chance to compete in some car events that you don’t run across too often. It’s a younger crowd that really has a lot of fun competing with their cars.”

The second Proving Grounds at BIR is Sept. 9-11. Drivers interested in competing, or for more details on the individual events, click here.

Daily admission is $25 with kids 12 and under free. On-site camping is free with a multi-day ticket.